Neurotrophin-4 regulates the survival of gustatory neurons earlier in development using a different mechanism than brain-derived neurotrophic factor

► Taste neurons become NT-4 dependent before target innervation. ► NT-4, from the ganglion and projection pathway, supports taste neuron survival. ► NT-4 does not influence cell proliferation or length of time in the cell cycle. ► NT-4 inhibits a different cell death pathway than BDNF. ► NT-4 has no role in postnatal development of taste buds or gustatory neurons.